Trump to declare national emergency over border wall funds

A top US Republican has announced that President Donald Trump has indicated he is prepared to sign-off on a bill aimed at ending the stand-off over US border security.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the president would declare a national emergency as soon as he signed the bill.

The declaration would help President Trump secure more funding for his promised wall along the Mexican border – however Democrats are almost certain to launch a court challenge against it on Constitutional grounds.

Senator McConnell made the announcement in the Senate chamber in the past hour – and the White House has since confirmed it.

Coveney says it is “incredible” that British Parliament has let Brexit “come to this”

British MPs have rebelled against the UK Prime Minister in a key Brexit vote in the House of Commons this evening.

Politicians this evening voted against a Government amendment noting that the House “reiterates its support” for the Brexit strategy MPs backed in a vote at the end of last month.

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it marks another embarrassing defeat for Theresa May.

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste Simon Coveney said it is "incredible" that the UK Government has allowed the Brexit process to “come to this.”

Woman dies after being struck Luas tram in Dublin

A woman has died after being struck by a Luas in Dublin.

It happened at Cookstown Way at 10am, between the Cookstown and Tallaght Hospital Luas stops.

A pedestrian was fatally injured when she was hit by a tram.

The woman's age is not yet known, and her body remains at the scene.

The site of a suicide attack in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir, 14-02-2019. Image: Xinhua/Javed Dar

At least 40 police killed in Kashmir suicide attack

At least 40 paramilitary police have been killed in a suicide attack in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir.

Police said dozens of others were injured in the attack on a convoy of vehicles carrying personnel from the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Thirteen of the injured are believed to be in critical condition.

Police said an SUV loaded with around 350kg of explosives rammed into a bus carrying 39 people at around 3:15pm.

Call for National Children’s Hospital project to be re-tendered

The Government has been urged to re-tender the new National Children's Hospital.

The project looks set to cost €1.7bn - some €450m over budget.

TDs have also demanded that the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar correct the Dáil record in relation to statements he made about the board charged with building the hospital.

He has said taxpayers money is not being wasted on the project.